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Emotional Difficulties (emotional + difficulty)
Selected AbstractsShy and soft-spoken: shyness, pragmatic language, and socio-emotional adjustment in early childhoodINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2009Robert J. Coplan Abstract The goal of this study was to examine the moderating role of pragmatic language in the relations between shyness and indices of socio-emotional adjustment in an unselected sample of early elementary school children. In particular, we sought to explore whether pragmatic language played a protective role for shy children. Participants were n=167 children aged 6,7 years, recruited from grade 1 classrooms in public elementary schools. Multi-source assessment was used to measure child shyness, pragmatic language ability, and indices of social and emotional difficulties at school. Results indicated several significant shyness-by-pragmatic-language interactions in the prediction of outcome variables. The pattern of results indicated a clear buffering effect of pragmatic language, with associations between shyness and adjustment difficulties exacerbated at lower levels of pragmatic language, and attenuated at higher levels. Results are discussed in terms of the specific positive benefits of pragmatic language for shy children and the implications for ameliorative intervention programs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evidence-Based assessment with menJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 6 2005Sam V. Cochran Men are almost universally underrepresented in psychological clinics and practices in the United States. One possible explanation for this underrepresentation is that men frequently conceal or obscure their emotional difficulties as a consequence of masculine gender role socialization. Men who subscribe to traditional, Western masculine values may be inclined to hide, minimize, or otherwise have difficulty expressing their psychological suffering, rendering this suffering difficult for clinicians to observe, diagnose, and treat. This manuscript describes an approach to the assessment process with men that integrates clinical reports on assessment and psychotherapy with men, values pertaining to our culture's construction of traditional masculinity, and empirical findings on psychological disorders more commonly observed in men. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 61: 649,660, 2005. [source] Effects of childhood exposure to familial alcoholism and family violence on adolescent substance use, conduct problems, and self-esteemJOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 2 2002Jennifer Ritter Abstract Exposure to familial alcoholism has been associated with many behavioral and emotional difficulties among offspring. However, few studies have examined environmental risks that often coexist with familial alcoholism, and which may influence the development of offspring psychosocial problems. This study examined potential additive and interactive effects of childhood exposure to family violence and childhood exposure to familial alcoholism on adolescent functioning. Three domains of adolescent functioning were examined in a high-risk community sample of 109 families: lifetime levels of substance use, conduct disorder behaviors, and self-esteem. Results indicated that both childhood exposure to familial alcoholism and childhood exposure to family violence were associated with psychosocial functioning of offspring during adolescence, although the relations differ according to domain of functioning and gender. [source] Psychological Intervention Following Implantation of an Implantable Defibrillator: A Review and Future RecommendationsPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 12 2007SUSANNE S. PEDERSEN Ph.D. Background:The medical benefits of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are unequivocal, but a subgroup of patients experiences emotional difficulties following implantation. For this subgroup, some form of psychological intervention may be warranted. This review provides an overview of current evidence on the efficacy of psychological intervention in ICD patients and recommendations for future research. Methods:We searched the PubMed and PsycInfo databases in the period between January 1980 and April 2007, using a set of a priori determined keywords. Based on the search and a hand search of the reference lists of the included articles, we identified nine studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results:The majority of studies used a randomized controlled trial design, but studies varied considerably in sample size, response, attrition rate, and type of intervention. However, most interventions were multifactorial, using cognitive behavioral therapy as one of the mainstays of treatment. Overall, psychological interventions seem to have little impact on shocks and heart rate variability. Some studies found a decrease in depressive symptoms and gains in quality of life, but the most notable effects are seen in improved exercise capacity and reductions in anxiety. Effect sizes for changes in anxiety in the intervention group ranged from small to large compared to small in the usual care group, using Cohen's effect size index. Conclusions:Preliminary evidence from small-scale intervention trials suggests that psychological intervention is worthwhile in ICD patients. Nevertheless, large-scale, well-designed trials are warranted to substantiate these findings. A multifactorial approach using a cognitive behavioral component paired with exercise training is likely to be the most successful. [source] Cognitive and emotional outcome after pediatric liver transplantationPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2003Petra Adebäck Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cognitive and emotional development after pediatric liver transplantation. A total of 21 patients, aged 4,16.9 yr (median 9.6 yr) were tested 1,9 yr (median 4.2 yr) after the transplantation. The pretransplant diagnoses included biliary atresia (eight patients), various metabolic diseases (n = 6), acute liver failure (n = 3), and miscellaneous (n = 4). The cognitive functions were tested with Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence (WPPSI)-R or Wechsler intelligence scale for children (WISC)-III according to age. The Piers,Harris self-concept scale and the evaluation of human figure drawings according to Koppitz were used to detect emotional problems. All tests in all patients were performed by the same psychologist. A significantly lower result on cognitive tests was seen when compared with the expected normal values (p < 0.01). The number of patients with results within or under the lower normal range was higher than expected. Although the mean value of the Piers,Harris self-concept scale was normal, there was a large spread within the group. Indicators of emotional problems were found in the human figure drawings of 50% of the patients. To some extent, low cognitive scores coincided with low scores on self-concept scale and indicators of emotional difficulties. We conclude that the high degree of cognitive and emotional problems after liver transplantation is an important argument for routine psychologic follow-up and support in these patients. [source] Can the Distress Thermometer be improved by additional mood domains?PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Part I. Initial validation of the Emotion Thermometers tool Abstract Purpose: To examine the value of a new screening instrument in a visual-analogue format. Methods: We report the design and validation of a new five-dimensional tool called the Emotion Thermometers (ET). This is a combination of five visual-analogue scales in the form of four predictor domains (distress, anxiety, depression, anger) and one outcome domain (need for help). Between March and August 2007, 130 patients attending the chemotherapy suite for their first chemotherapy treatment were asked to complete several questionnaires with validation for distress, anxiety and depression. Results: Of 81 with low distress on the Distress Thermometer (DT), 51% recorded emotional difficulties on the new ET tool, suggesting added value beyond the DT alone. Of those with a broadly defined emotional complication, 93.3% could be identified using the Anxiety Thermometer (AnxT) alone, compared with 54.4% who would be recognized using the DT alone. Using a cut-off of 3v4 on all thermometers against the total Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score (cut-off 14v15), the optimal thermometer was the Anger Thermometer (sensitivity 61%, specificity 92%). Against HADS anxiety scale, the optimal thermometer was AnxT (sensitivity 92%, specificity 61%) and against the HADS depression scale, the optimal thermometer was the Depression Thermometer (DepT; sensitivity 60%, specificity 78%). Finally, against DSM-IV major depression, the optimal thermometer was the DepT (sensitivity 80%, specificity 79%). Further improvements may be possible by using a combination of thermometers or by repeating the screen. Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of the DT can be improved by the inclusion of simple addition linear domains without substantially increasing the time needed to apply the test. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Study of the Factors Affecting Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents After Liver TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2009R. M. Taylor The aim of the study was to identify factors affecting health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adolescents after liver transplantation. HRQL was measured using the CHQ-CF87 in 55 adolescents, aged 12,18 years. Factors associated with HRQL included allograft morbidity, psychological and family-related variables measured through standardized questionnaires. The domains of the CHQ-CF87 were reduced using factor analysis to give physical, psychological and social domains. Impacting factors were identified through stepwise, multiple regression analysis. Adolescents had significantly lower HRQL in every domain except for role/social-behavior and family cohesion compared to the general population. Adolescents experienced median 18 (range 4,31) symptoms related to immunosuppression, 40(75%) had one or more chronic illnesses related to immunosuppression and 12(22%) had a history of emotional difficulties. Self-esteem and emotional health were similar to the general population but behavior and aspects of family function were lower. Following regression analysis, the factors associated with HRQL were: age at transplant, secondary chronic illness, symptom distress, headaches, history of emotional difficulties, self-esteem and family conflict. These explained 57% of the variance in physical function, 61% of psychological function and 39% of social function. HRQL is significantly reduced in adolescents after transplantation, which could be related to immunosuppression and psychosocial factors. [source] Psychopathic traits in adolescent offenders: an evaluation of criminal history, clinical, and psychosocial correlates,BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW, Issue 1 2004Mary Ann Campbell Ph.D. Although a large body of research has established the relevance of psychopathy to adult offenders, its relevance to adolescent offenders is far less clear. The current study evaluated the clinical, psychosocial and criminal correlates of psychopathic traits in a sample of 226 male and female incarcerated adolescent offenders. According to an 18-item version of the Psychopathy Checklist,Youth Version (PCL-YV; Forth, Kosson, & Hare, 2003), only 9.4% exhibited a high level of psychopathic traits (PCL-YV,25). Consistent with past research, higher PCL-YV scores were positively associated with self-reported delinquency and aggressive behavior and were unrelated to emotional difficulties. Although higher PCL-YV scores were associated with the experience of physical abuse, the only psychosocial factor to predict PCL-YV scores was a history of non-parental living arrangements (e.g. foster care). In terms of criminality, a violent/versatile criminal history was positively associated with psychopathic traits. However, PCL-YV scores were unrelated to participants' official criminal records for total, non-violent, violent, and technical violation convictions. In conclusion, the data partially support the construct validity of psychopathy with adolescent offenders, but some inconsistencies with prior adult and adolescent psychopathy research were evident. These issues are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Health-related quality of life and bullying in adolescenceACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2010A Frisén Abstract Objective:, To investigate if adolescents' HRQL (Health-Related Quality of Life) is associated with experiences of school bullying. Method:, A total of 758 adolescents completed a questionnaire to help examine HRQL and the prevalence of bullying. Results:, Associations were found between being bullied and all of the examined aspects of HRQL. To be involved in bullying , both as a bully and bully/victim (both bully and victim) , is related to experiences of physical and emotional difficulties. Being bullied during the latter school years affects aspects of HRQL to a greater extent than being bullied during earlier school years. Conclusion:, Peers have a pronounced influence on the adolescents' life, which can be seen in the association between experiences of bullying and its association with HRQL. Being bullied is associated with significantly poorer ratings of HRQL for adolescents in nearly every aspect of day-to-day functioning and quality of life. [source] Co,Rumination in the Friendships of Girls and BoysCHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2002Amanda J. Rose This research addresses a new construct, co,rumination. Co,rumination refers to extensively discussing and revisiting problems, speculating about problems, and focusing on negative feelings. Friendship research indicates that self,disclosure leads to close relationships; however, coping research indicates that dwelling on negative topics leads to emotional difficulties. Co,rumination is a single construct that integrates both perspectives and is proposed to be related both to positive friendship adjustment and problematic emotional adjustment. Third,, fifth,, seventh,, and ninth,grade participants (N= 608) responded to questionnaires, including a new measure of co,rumination. Co,rumination was related to high,quality, close friendships and aspects of depression and anxiety. Girls reported co,ruminating more than did boys, which helped to account for girls' more positive friendship adjustment and greater internalizing symptoms. Other analyses addressed whether co,rumination and the related constructs of self,disclosure and rumination had different relations with friendship and emotional adjustment. [source] Recognition and referral of girls with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: case vignette studyCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2009C. Groenewald Abstract Background Compared with boys, girls with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are under-recognized. Parents commonly discuss concerns with teachers, who play an important role in the recognition and referral of children with ADHD. We investigated whether the predominating subtype of symptomatology influences teacher recognition of affected girls. Methods A total of 212 teachers from 40 randomly selected primary schools in England participated in a postal questionnaire study. The questionnaire consisted of a case vignette (based on DSM-IV criteria) describing a girl with either combined or predominantly inattentive subtype ADHD. Each school received an equal number of each type of vignette for distribution. Further questions elicited teachers' conceptualization of the girl's difficulties and need for specialist referral, their views on treatment modalities and demographic data. Results Most (98%) teachers recognized the presence of a problem but mainly conceptualized the girl's behaviour as reflecting attentional (89%) or emotional (62%) difficulties. Teachers were less likely to correctly identify a girl with inattentive than combined subtype ADHD (14% vs. 43%) or recommend clinical referral (50% vs. 59%) for her. Few (15%) teachers thought that medication might be helpful for a girl meeting diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Conclusions Teachers are able to recognize ADHD-related behaviours and impairments but conceptualize these as reflecting attentional or emotional difficulties rather than as relating to a disorder (ADHD). Teachers' conceptualization of ADHD and views about medication are important factors that could affect accurate recognition and referral. Improving teachers' knowledge about ADHD, especially the inattentive subtype, could assist in tackling gender-related barriers to care. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||